WBBL: Harmanpreet's Fifty Helps Thunder Attain Double Over Strikers

Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur once again lit up the Women’s Big Bash League as her half-century helped Sydney Thunder complete the double over Adelaide Strikers on Sunday morning.

Chasing 146 runs, Thunder did not have a great start as previous game’s player of the match Rachael Priest for nought. Naomi Stalenberg was dismissed the very next over, putting Strikers in a commanding position. But Stefanie Taylor held the fort at the other end, with Alex Blackwell adding 27 from 22 balls before she was removed by New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine.

Kaur came into the crease with her side needing 93 runs from 11 overs. She started off with five dots but followed it up with a boundary to get off the mark. Taylor then stepped up her game and allowed the Indian all-rounder to get set. Once Kaur did, both the batters took apart the bowling. Kaur smashed Devine for 17 runs in the 13th over, which brought down the required run-rate. The stand ended on 60 runs after the Windies all-rounder was run out soon after bringing up her half-century.

The Thunder reached the target with 10 balls to spare as the 28-year-old went on to score her second half-century this season, finishing unbeaten on 52 with six boundaries and two sixes. However, Taylor took the player of the match award for her half-century with the bat and her 2 for 33 in her four overs.